Obituary: Virgil Lanning

Wednesday

Jul 25, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 25, 2012 at 6:19 PM

Virgil Lanning, 95, of Sacred Heart, died Saturday, July 21, 2012 at his home. Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Renville with Pastor Tom Evenson officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery in Renville with military rites by the Sacred Heart American Legion Post #229.

Virgil Eugene Lanning was born December 13, 1916 near Renville, to Bennie and Hulda (Swanson) Lanning. He grew up near Renville where he attended school. He served his country during WWll in the U.S. Army Artillery from 1941-1945. Virgil’s service was in the European Theatre where he walked from Africa to Italy. After his discharge, he returned to Minneapolis where he worked at General Mills. In 1952 he moved to Renton, WA, where he was employed at Boeing, retiring after 25 years. Virgil married Norma Rynning on October 24, 1954 in Renton, WA, and they were foster parents of her four nieces and nephews. In 1979 Virgil and Norma moved to Sacred Heart, and enjoyed spending winters in Apache Junction, AZ. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Renville, the American Legion, the International Machinist Union for over 50 years, and the Sacred Heart Area Historical Society. Virgil had enjoyed baseball, fishing and hunting.

Staff reports

Virgil Lanning, 95, of Sacred Heart, died Saturday, July 21, 2012 at his home. Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Renville with Pastor Tom Evenson officiating. Burial was at Fairview Cemetery in Renville with military rites by the Sacred Heart American Legion Post #229.
Virgil Eugene Lanning was born December 13, 1916 near Renville, to Bennie and Hulda (Swanson) Lanning. He grew up near Renville where he attended school. He served his country during WWll in the U.S. Army Artillery from 1941-1945. Virgil’s service was in the European Theatre where he walked from Africa to Italy. After his discharge, he returned to Minneapolis where he worked at General Mills. In 1952 he moved to Renton, WA, where he was employed at Boeing, retiring after 25 years. Virgil married Norma Rynning on October 24, 1954 in Renton, WA, and they were foster parents of her four nieces and nephews. In 1979 Virgil and Norma moved to Sacred Heart, and enjoyed spending winters in Apache Junction, AZ. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Renville, the American Legion, the International Machinist Union for over 50 years, and the Sacred Heart Area Historical Society. Virgil had enjoyed baseball, fishing and hunting.
Virgil is survived by his three children: Lizabeth (Paul) Lanning of Sacred Heart, Mary Lou Rynning of Stanwood, WA, and Rick (Patty) Rynning of Marysville, WA; his grandchildren: David (Brandy) Lanning, Lisa (Josh) Neutgens, Peter (Kim) Lanning, Bradley (special friend Kim Kluver) Lanning, Travis Rynning, C. Wesley (Jami) Rynning, Jennifer Encinias, Kenneth Rynning, and Sarah (Ron) Kisch; five great grandchildren: Ryder Eugene Lanning, Nikita, Jonathan, Jessica and Elizabeth Encinias; his brothers: Rodger Lanning of Renville and Dale Lanning of Alexandria; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Norma Lanning in 2000; his son and daughter-in-law Conrad and Sue Rynning; his brothers: Arvin, Harry, Glenn, Carroll, Bernelle, and Ardell Lanning; and his sisters Birdell Lanning, Lorraine Moen, and Bernice Potts.
Dirks-Blem Funeral Service of Renville was in charge of arrangements.